Review and Herald, Vol. 37, No. 8.
OUR FAITH AND HOPE; Or, Reasons Why We Believe as We DoPage 1
Earlier text: Don't Live beyond Your MeansThoughts on the Book of Daniel.
VERSE 24. He shall enter peaceably even upon the fattest places of the province; and he shall do that which his fathers have not done, nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches; yea, and he shall forecast his devices against the strongholds, even for a time. The usual manner in which nations had, before the days of Rome, entered upon valuable provinces and rich territory, was by war and conquest. Rome was now to do what had not been done by the fathers, or the fathers’ fathers, namely, receive these acquisitions through peaceful means. The custom, before unheard of, was now inaugurated, of kings’ leaving by legacy their kingdoms to the Romans. They came into possession of a large portion of their tributaries in this manner. And those who thus came under the dominion of Rome derived no small advantage therefrom. They were treated with kindness and leniency. It was like having the prey and spoil distributed among them. They were protected from their enemies and rested in peace and safety under the aegis of the Roman power. To the latter portion of this verse, Bp. Newton gives the idea of forecasting devices from strongholds, instead of against them. This the Romans did from the strong fortress of their seven-hilled city. “Even for a time,” doubtless a prophetic time, 360 years. From what point are they to date? Probably from the event brought to view in the next verse. Verse 25. And he shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army; and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand; for they shall forecast devices against him. By verses 23 and 24, we are brought down this side of the league between the Jews and the Romans, B. C. 161, to the time when Rome had acquired universal dominion. The verses now before us bring to view a vigorous campaign against the king of the south, Egypt, and the occurrence of a notable battle between great and mighty armies. Did such events as these transpire in the history of Rome, about this time? They did. The war was the war between Egypt and Rome; and the battle was the battle of Actium. Let us take a brief glance at the circumstances that led to this conflict. Mark Antony, Augustus Cæsar, and Lepidus, constituted the triumvirate which had sworn to avenge the death of Julius Cæsar. This Antony became the brother-in-law of Augustus, by marrying his sister Octavia. Antony was sent into Egypt on government business, but fell a victim to the arts and charms of Cleopatra, Egypt’s dissolute queen. So strong was the passion he conceived for her, that he finally espoused the Egyptian interests, rejected his wife Octavia to please Cleopatra, bestowed province after province upon the latter to gratify her avarice, celebrated a triumph at Alexandria instead of Rome, and otherwise so affronted the Roman people, that Augustus had no difficulty in leading them to engage heartily in a war against this enemy of their country. The war was ostensibly against Egypt and Cleopatra; but it was really against Antony who now stood at the head of Egyptian affairs. And the true cause of their controversy, was, says Prideaux, that neither of them could be content with only half of the Roman Empire; for Lepidus having been deposed from the triumvirate, it now lay between them, and each being determined to possess the whole, they cast the die of war for its possession. Antony assembled his fleet at Samos. Five hundred ships of war, of extraordinary size and structure, having several decks one above another, with towers upon the head and stern, made an imposing and formidable array. These ships carried two hundred thousand foot, and twelve thousand horse. The kings of Libya, Cilicia, Cappadocia, Paphlagonia, Comagenia, and Thrace, were there in person; and those of Pontus, Judea, Lycaonia, Galatia and Media, had sent their troops. A more splendid and gorgeous sight than this fleet of battle ships, as they spread their sails, and moved out upon the bosom of the sea, the world has rarely seen. Surpassing all in magnificence, came the galley of Cleopatra, floating like a palace of gold, beneath a cloud of purple sails. Its flags and streamers fluttered in the wind, and trumpets and other instruments of war, made the heavens resound with notes of joy and triumph. Antony followed close after in a galley of almost equal magnificence. And the giddy queen intoxicated with the sight of the warlike array, short-sighted and vainglorious, at the head of her infamous troop of eunuchs, foolishly threatened the Roman capital with approaching ruin. Cæsar Augustus, on the other hand, displayed less pomp but more utility. He had but half as many ships as Antony, and only eighty thousand foot. But all his troops were chosen men, and on board his fleet were none but experienced seamen; whereas Antony, not finding mariners sufficient, had been obliged to man his vessels with artisans of every class, men inexperienced, and more calculated to cause trouble, than to do real service in time of battle. The season being far consumed in these preparations, Cæsar made his rendezvous at Brundusium, and Antony at Corcyra, till the following year. As soon as the season permitted, both armies were put in motion by sea and land. The fleets at length entered the Ambracian gulf in Epirus, and the land forces were drawn up on either shore in plain view. Antony’s most experienced generals advised him not to hazard a battle by sea, with his inexperienced mariners, but to send Cleopatra back to Egypt, and hasten at once into Thrace or Macedonia, and trust the issue to his land forces, who were composed of veteran troops. But he, illustrating the old adage, “Whom God wishes to destroy, he first strikes mad,” infatuated by Cleopatra, seemed only desirous of pleasing her; and she, trusting to appearances only, deemed her fleet invincible, and advised immediate action. The battle was fought, September 2, B. C. 31, at the mouth of the gulf of Ambracia, near the city of Actium. The stake was the world for which these stern warriors, Antony and Cæsar, now played. The contest, long doubtful, was at length decided by the course which Cleopatra pursued. For she, frightened at the din of battle, took to flight when there was no danger, and drew after her the whole Egyptian fleet. Antony, beholding this movement, and lost to everything but his blind passion for her, precipitately followed, and yielded a victory to Cæsar, which, had his Egyptian forces proved true to him, and had he proved true to his own manhood, he might have gained. This battle doubtless marks the commencement of the “time” mentioned in verse 24. And as during this “time,” devices were to be forecast from the stronghold, or Rome, we should conclude that at the end of that period, western supremacy would cease, or such a change take place in the empire, that that city would no longer be considered the seat of government. From B. C. 31, a prophetic time, or 360 years would bring us to A. D. 330. What took place in that year? The seat of empire was removed from Rome to Constantinople, by Constantine the Great. See Encyclopædia Americana, art., Constantinople. The Maddening Mechanism of Thought.
Who would imagine, after reading the following, that, when death has broken the case, seized the pendulum, and silenced the “clicking of the terrible escapement,” the maddening mechanism of thought is strengthened and accelerated a thousand-fold, as popular theology would have us believe? Such is not the law of mechanics as illustrated by any other piece of machinery. Mr. Holmes has come well nigh bearing testimony in favor of the Bible doctrine of the unconscious state of the dead:— Our brains are seventy-year clocks. The angel of life winds them up once for all, then closes the case and gives the key into the hands of the angel of resurrection. Tic-tac! tic-tac! go the wheels of thought; our will cannot stop them; they cannot stop themselves; sleep cannot still them; madness only makes them go faster; death alone can break into the case, and seizing the ever swinging pendulum, which we call the heart, silence at last the clicking of the terrible escapement we have carried so long beneath our wrinkled foreheads. If we could only get at them, as we lie on our pillows and count the dead beats of thought after thought, and image after image jarring through the over-tired organ! Will nobody block those wheels, uncouple the pinion, cut the string that holds those weights, blow up the infernal machine with gunpowder? What a passion comes over us sometimes for silence and rest—that this dreadful mechanism, unwinding the endless tapestry of time, embroidered with spectral figures of life and death, could have but one brief holiday! Who can wonder that men swing themselves off from beams in hempen lassos? that they jump off from parapets into the swift and gurgling waters beneath? that they take counsel of the grim fiend who has but to utter his one peremptory monosyllable, and the restless machine is shivered as a case that is dashed upon a marble floor? Under that building which we pass every day there are strong dungeons, where neither hook, nor bar, nor bed cord, nor drinking vessel from which a sharp fragment may be shattered, shall by any chance be seen. There is nothing for it when the brain is on fire with the whirling of its wheels, but to spring against the stone wall and silence them with one crash. Ah! they remembered that—the kind city fathers—and the walls are nicely padded, so that one can take such exercise as he likes without damaging himself. If anybody would really contrive some kind of a lever that one could thrust in among the works of this horrid automaton and check them, or alter their rate of going, what would the world give for the discovery? Men are very apt to try to get at the machine by some indirect system or other. They clap on the brakes by means of opium, they change the maddening monotony of the rhythm by means of fermented liquors. It is because the brain is locked up and we cannot touch its movements directly, that we thrust these coarse tools in through any crevice by which they may reach the interior, alter its rate of going for a while, and at last spoil the machine.—Oliver Wendell Holmes. Ancient and Modern Pharisees.
By Dudley Marvin Canright
ALL Christians unite in condemning the bigotry, exclusiveness, and sectarianism, of the ancient Pharisees. They opposed Christ and his apostles, and did all they could to impede the progress of the gospel. They were sure that they and their doctrine, it being the old and commonly-received theory, were right, and that all new doctrines must necessarily be wrong. For this they are justly condemned by all Christians; yet if we look a little more carefully at their conduct we shall see that they were really more liberal than the old and most popular sects of Christians at the present time. It is now quite generally almost impossible for an Adventist minister to obtain the privilege of speaking in their churches. The doors are locked against him whenever he comes. Much less is he allowed to preach to their congregations in their houses at their regular appointed seasons of worship. If he has the privilege of the house at all, he must do it at some other time, and run his risk of a congregation. This is something that the ancient Pharisees, with all their bigotry and hatred of the Christians, did not do. Everywhere they went, the apostles were not only freely allowed the use of their synagogues (their meeting-houses), but they were invited to preach to them at their regular assemblies of worship. This we read in a few passages which will give us an idea how they did in those times. Acts 9:20: “And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Chapter 13:5, 14, 15: “And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews; and they had also John to their minister.” “But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. And after the reading of the law and the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.” Here we see that Paul not only spoke by permission, but by request. Acts 14:1; 17:1, 2, 17: “And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.” “Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews; and Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three Sabbath days reasoned with them out of the Scriptures.” “Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.” By this we see that they would allow Paul to come into their synagogues and dispute with them and argue his cause. Acts 18:4: “And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.” Many more places might be quoted, showing the same conduct. This ought to put to shame our modern Pharisees who are even more selfish and exclusive than their ancient fathers. Be Zealous, and Repent.
By John Nevins Andrews
THERE can be no greater folly than to make our reception of reproof the occasion of settling down in sullen unbelief. God sends us reproof and chastening for our sins. It has a voice to us which we ought to heed without delay. By it God says to us, “Be zealous, and repent.” If we would but do this, how excellent would be the result of our humiliations. And why do we not do it? It is simply because our hearts are too proud to yield. Yet we shall have to meet our wrongs in the Judgment, unless we rightly put them away now. We had better yield while it can avail for our salvation. J. N. ANDREWS. Difficult Problems.
By Roswell F. Cottrell
We find men who will acknowledge the entire moral law—every jot and tittle—to be binding, who will still argue that, since we cannot be justified and saved by the law, we need not keep the Sabbath of that law. And they find it a very difficult problem to demonstrate how the law can be binding and not binding at the same time; how it can be in force and yet abolished; and how the Sabbath can be abrogated, as a Jewish institution, and yet the same commandment bind us to keep another day, as a Christian institution. When I witness their undertaking such tasks, I wonder if the Creator has given them minds so illogical and obtuse that they cannot see the falseness of their position. If so, they cannot be accountable. But if their willfulness thus perverts their understanding, then they are justly the objects of God's displeasure and fit subjects of divine wrath. My mind has been led to these reflections by what occurred at a meeting lately. I had been speaking of the respective claims of the seventh, and of the first, day, to our observance. A man arose and made some remarks in which he admitted that the ten commandments were binding in every jot and tittle; but claimed that we could not be justified by keeping them; and therefore he thought it was not necessary for us to keep the Sabbath of that law. 1. They are all binding. 2. They cannot pardon their transgressor. 3. Therefore we are not required to keep them, at least the one that happens to be unpopular. How do men come by such intellectual faculties? Is such reasoning natural and necessary, or acquired? The true solution of this question will fix the responsibility where it belongs. What Shall We Do in Trouble?
By John Nevins Andrews
WE must seek God. It is to remind us that we are sinful men that affliction comes upon us. It is not to drive us from God, but to lead us to him, that God sends us affliction. It is for us to draw near to God, that the very causes of our affliction may be removed. We should not be so much troubled at our own sufferings as at the sin which causes them. When we have put away our sin, we have done what God has designed to effect in us by our affliction. We may leave the affliction to take care of itself if we only repent of our sins with true repentance, so that God accepts our humiliation before him. Faith in God.
By R. F. Cottrell
THE great lack in men is the lack of faith. Hence they are fearful—they dare not trust in God. When duty is presented, they fear that if they obey, their worldly interests will suffer. They have a farm, a mill, a shop, or a store, on their hands, and they cannot see what will become of these interests, if they obey the truth, and keep the commandments of God. Supposing they should lose, all these things, and become poor in consequence of obeying God; and, as the result, be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom that God has promised to them that love him. Would they lose anything? Would they not rather be infinitely the gainers? Why is it that “The mote of worldly interest fills the eye,
And hides from view the worlds of bliss on high?”
Would it not be a happy exchange to give all of this world, and even life itself, for a portion in the world to come, and eternal life? Why do you hesitate, O you of little faith? Ah! it is because you do not confide in God and believe his promises. If you venture upon the promise of God, he is pledged that you shall lose nothing by it. But you dare not trust him! And so failing to trust in him, you insure a portion with “the fearful and unbelieving.” Rev. 21:8. But your fears are false and groundless. You will not be left to poverty and woe, because you believe and obey God. His promise is pledged for all that you need in this life. Your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of these things. Seek first the kingdom of God, and the righteousness required by him, and all these things shall be added unto you. You shall receive a hundred-fold in the present time, and in the world to come life everlasting. The only obstacle is the want of confiding faith in God. It is better to trust in God, than to trust in the “uncertain riches” of this world. R. F. COTTRELL. Lessons on Faith and Christian Conduct
By JOS. CLARKE.
We receive comfort in the performance of duty. If we do right, God will defend us. There is no protection like God's protection. There is no love like God's love. There is no wisdom like that from above. Those see best whom God enlightens. None are so secure as those who trust in God. Gratitude to God begets praise to him. Ingratitude begets murmuring. Faith and love are twin angels: unbelief and hate, twin reprobates. At every turn and trial in life, we should turn to God. When we feel more than usually blest, we should expect some unusually strong temptation. A tendency to levity is a sure sign of the presence of evil influences. A disposition to triumph in the fall of others, is a strong indication that there will be another fall soon. Kindness will hurt no one: unkindness hurts every time. We pity the physically blind; should we not also pity the spiritually blind? Men are sometimes proud of their unbelief. As well might Gobazi be proud of his leprosy. Religion Must Save Others
A RELIGION that does not prompt a man to try to save others, will never save him. Healdsburg, Jan. 18, 1871
By John Norton Loughborough
At the time of my last report, Dec. 10, 1870, I had held five meetings in Bloomfield. I continued there until Jan. 15, holding, in the time, thirty-seven meetings. These meetings have been well attended, and some new ones have taken their stand on the truth. Six were baptized last Sabbath, only one of whom had ever made a profession before receiving present truth. There are now some fourteen who have taken their stand to keep the Sabbath there. Systematic Benevolence is organized, amounting to over $100.00 per year. They have also a very interesting Bible-class and Sabbath meeting. During the time of my labors in Bloomfield, I spent two days at Petaluma. Found those there still with a mind to work. I also attended the quarterly meeting in Santa Rosa, Jan. 7 and 8. Although this was an occasion of some trial and perplexity to the cause in this State, yet the Lord was with us by his Spirit, and our hearts were encouraged and strengthened. I stated in my last report that Bro. Kellogg designed to enter the field again soon. Since that time, his affairs have so shaped that he will preach no more at present, so I am alone in my labors in California; yet I trust I shall have the Lord with me. Our labor is not in vain if wrought in God. By the recent disarrangement of our plans I shall be detained among the churches at least a fortnight more. There are some good new fields here which I long to enter. While in Bloomfield, a Bro. Wm. Hunt of Nevada, spent two weeks with us attending the meetings. This brother has embraced every point of present truth by reading our publications and the REVIEW. He first had his attention called to our work by an article in the California Christian Advocate, written by the editor with the design of slurring our work here in Healdsburg. When Bro. Hunt learned that there were such books being sold in Healdsburg, he wrote on for them. He read, embraced the truth, and sent us $50.00 in gold to help on the work in California. He has now had the privilege of meeting with Adventists, which he has long desired. Pray for us. J. N. LOUGHBOROUGH. Healdsburg, Jan. 18, 1871
Nov. 17, 1870, went to Highland Co. Spoke at night in the Methodist meeting-house, to a large congregation. Had a good hearing. Held two meetings in Kainesborough, but for want of a house, had to leave. Dec. 2, went to visit the brethren at Allentown, Clark Co. Commenced meetings on Sabbath evening. Had a good congregation for that place. Held six meetings. Labored to set things in order. We hope there are some here who will go through. Bro. Moser is doing all that he can for the cause here. Commenced meetings at Bowersville on Sabbath evening, Dec. 10. Continued until the 18th. Held seventeen meetings. Confessions were made, and we were enabled to draw near to the Lord. A good work was done for the church here. Such a work is needed in all the churches. This church has been occupying a higher standpoint than ever before, since our organization. Baptized one during this meeting. Jan. 12, went north to join Bro. St. John in his meeting at Whartonsburgh, Wyandott Co. Assisted him some, and baptized one. The Lord is good, and I will try to praise his holy name, and do his holy will, that I may be ready to meet him at his coming. Seeking the Right Way Again.
By Caroline R. Rice
A SISTER writes from Lee Summit, Mo.: I am thankful that the REVIEW has been allowed to visit my dear parents' house so long. Father spent part of last season with us, perused all the books we had treating on present truth, became convinced, and is now keeping the Sabbath. Since his return home he writes:— “The more I have examined the subject, the more I am convinced that the law has not been annulled or changed by any scriptural authority. Our Saviour fulfilled the law to be sure, and made it honorable. How did he do it? By keeping it. Hence he said if he had not come and done those works which no man had ever done, they had not had sin; but now they have no cloak for their sin. . . . Some fifteen years ago, I heard Stephenson, in Wisconsin, lecture on the third angel's message. The seventh day then looked to me to be the Sabbath, and I commenced keeping it, thinking that the safer way, although our good old Christian minister tried to explain to me that he that keepeth the day keepeth it unto the Lord, &c., that is, that it made no difference; but let every one be persuaded in his own mind. A few months after, we moved into a place where people were strict Sunday-keepers, and became one among them; though with my mind troubled with doubts, I eagerly devoured every book treating on the subject of the soon coming of Christ. The Prophetic Times and World's Crisis were all I could get hold of, however. I searched the Scriptures, reading their quotations, but I found myself groping in darkness until moving to this place five years ago, God sent me instruction. I read the “History of the Sabbath” and REVIEW, lent me by a kind neighbor, commenced again to keep God's whole law, and, with the help of God intend to remain faithful to the end.” My two dear boys are keeping the Sabbath with me, and some two or three others of my dear friends are also keeping the Sabbath. I feel so thankful to God, and it is so cheering to hear of accessions to the cause of truth, that I write this. May you be blessed abundantly. The Work of the Enemy.
By B. L. W.
Not long since, while listening to a discourse by quite a successful minister of the Baptist denomination to the members of a church among whom he was about to labor, I was forcibly impressed by a remark he made to this effect: “At no time during the history of the church, have the influences which are at work against the cause of God been more positive or persistent than at the present.” Such is the testimony of one who, although perhaps faithful and earnest in the work of doing good according to the light God has given him, is not holding up the high standard to which God requires his people at this time to conform themselves. We have good reason to believe that were there no people to proclaim to the world a more stirring, heart-searching message than that of the popular religion of the day, there would be less vigilance and activity required on the part of the enemy of all righteousness. But if those who have not the light of the truth designed by God for this time, are forced to acknowledge the untiring zeal and energy, and we might add, the increasing success of the evil one, what reason have we, who have professed to have more light, and to understand and obey the word of God more perfectly, to fear lest we be unprepared to meet the increased wrath and power of the wicked one which those will surely bring against themselves who seek more fully to conform their lives to the divine will. It has ever been Satan’s work to oppose the truth of God, and hinder those who would serve him. Whenever there has been a people who would stand steadfastly for the truth, toward them has been directed the fiercest efforts of the powers of darkness; and never have those efforts been suspended or abated while there remained a hope that they might be overcome or led to change their purpose. From the time when man, in purity and innocence, was placed in Eden, down through all the history of God’s people to the present time, we have evidence of this bitter, determined, increasing opposition. The crime and iniquity so alarmingly prevalent at the present time, and the depraved mental and physical conditions of mankind show us but too plainly the success which has attended his efforts. So far has man departed from God that his cup of iniquity is nearly full. Not one of all these years of unceasing toil and arduous devotion to his work has failed to add its weight of experience to the artful cunning, and wily deceitfulness, possessed by the great enemy when he made his first attempt to ensnare our race. Against such a foe as this, we, in these days of especial danger, have to contend; and he knows best what means to employ to lead us from the right way. The servants of God in all ages have been subject to his temptations, and too often have been taken by his devices; but especially will this be true of those who in these evil days are striving to obey God’s holy law and maintain the honor of his word, and feel his wrath; for he has come down with great power, knowing that his time is short. While there have ever been those who, walking in the light and being led by the spirit of truth, have maintained their special character as the children of God, thousands have fallen a prey to his devices, and yielding to the inclinations of the human heart, have made shipwreck of their faith. What cause, then, have we to fear, lest having the promise left us we shall fail to so overcome that our characters shall stand the test of the Judgment? We may be sure that our weakest points are well known to him, and that our natural dispositions and inclinations will be forced into his service in the warfare for eternal life. No means will be left untried by which he may hope to accomplish our destruction. And how are we prepared to resist his work? What have we to give us hope against such odds? In what may we trust for deliverance from his power? Not in our own hearts, surely. Not in our own weak, erring, human judgment; for this would prove no safeguard against the cunning and deceit of our adversary. Only in the sure promises of God may we trust with safety. But what a tower of strength we have in these When surrounded with temptation, when passing through trials, where we are left to feel the enemy’s power, when perplexed to know what course to take, and what duty is, with what comfort and assurance of hope to the tried soul come these words of promise, “The meek will he guide in judgment, and the meek will he teach his way.” Although the way before us may seem dark and dangerous, though beset with temptation on every hand and surrounded by influences calculated to lead us from the right way, though our hearts may prove treacherous, and frailest where they seem the best, though the world with its allurements may seem to call us from our life of care, watchfulness, and toil, to some promised good to be found in the way of transgression, yet we may be sure that the voice of the Good Shepherd calling us to leave all these and follow him, if obeyed, will prove a safeguard against all the wiles of the deceiver, and will guide us at last to the fold.
B. L. W. Confession.
By E. M. WARREN
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Dear brethren and sisters, if we renounce sin and determine to lead pure lives, let us make thorough work by confessing all to God, and to man, so far as it has affected them in any way, publicly, privately, or personally; confess great sins, small sins, and all sin; confess heartily as though we hated it and meant to put every vestige of it, from us. Have we done so? If so, what means this dearth of mind? this want of the favor of God? this constant inclination to do wrong? this absence of spirituality? Is it not the result of this proud spirit, that holds back the confession of our wrong? Not ashamed to sin, but ashamed to confess! How can God give you his smiles until you are willing to acknowledge you have dishonored him? How can he love you when you are so full of self-love? You think it will bring you down so low in the eyes of others. What if it does, if God loves you? But it will not; for nothing will so endear you to your brethren as a humble, thorough63 confession of your faults. “He that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” But let the thoughts of self die. Think how you have dishonored God, and abused his love, and provoked his wrath. When we have a right view of sin, we shall want to confess it. But shall we ever get into Heaven with this willful self-love? Shall we ever join the blood-washed throng? No. We may come up to the Judgment with our sins unconfessed, but then it will be too late. The cleansing comes after the confession. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We want to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. We feel the galling yoke of sin, and long for that purity of heart and life that will make us truly the children of God, and fit us to stand the test of the Judgment that is just before us. Then let us freely and fully confess. With what love must our Heavenly Father look upon that one who is willing, yes, anxious, to own every wrong and put it all away! How he takes them to his bosom and enriches them with the peace that passeth all understanding! “Rivers of love from God’s own throne
Shall constantly supply,
And angel pinions hover near,
To waft that soul on high.”
The writer can say by experience, It is blessed to confess. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. SOWING AND REAPING.
By G. W. Colcord
Be not deceived; God is not mocked;
Whate'er you sow, you'll surely reap!
Yes, when Christ comes, and earth is rocked,
And graves are opened wide and deep,
The saints of God shall wake to life,
To reap the harvest they have sown;
But those who fleshly sowed in strife,
Shall by their Maker be o'erthrown. Now is the time to sow the seeds
Of “present truth” all o'er the field.
That some may ripen into deeds—
Good, loyal fruit, a bounteous yield;
To this end, Lord, to labor rouse
Thy people, one and all, and cause
The saints of God ne'er more to drowse,
But vindicate thy righteous laws. But, solemn as it is, we know,
That most will sow to flesh and sin;
Although they're warned of coming woe,
They sow, to reap destruction in!
Oh, that we all might feel the weight
And worth of souls, for whom Christ died;
That we, before it is too late,
May bring them to the Crucified. Pleasantville, N. Y.
By William H. Wild
God has heard believing prayer. Never did the cause stand so well in Pleasantville. Souls are added to us, that are an ornament to the present truth. We have passed through some severe trials; but out of them all the Lord has delivered us. The Lord is good. A few months ago there were two of us here; now we number twelve. Some were backsliders; others never before confessed the truth. Last Sabbath we enjoyed one of the most refreshing seasons that we have enjoyed here for some time. It was a heart-searching time. All wept when we saw the wife of Bro. B., and the husband of Sr. Y., arise and confess their determination to go to Mount Zion with us, and be found among the remnant that shall escape the plagues which are to fall upon the shelterless heads of those who refuse to keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. How much we can endure when we know we are walking in the old paths, cast up by patriarchs, prophets, and apostles. The hill of difficulty will not turn us back; for over it we must go, though steep and rugged, to Beulah's land. Neither can the lions frighten us back. No, no! It is blessed to be free from doubts in this age of infidelity. Toil on, dear brethren and sisters. Soon the King will come. Oh, to be ready! To all who have access by faith to the throne of grace, we would say, Pray for us, the little band in Pleasantville. WILLIAM H. WILD. North Elba, N. Y.
By S. B. Whitney
At my last writing, I had commenced a course of lectures in North Elba, with small attendance, unfavorable weather, and strong opposition on the part of the religious portion of community. Continued the meetings as long as the interest seemed to warrant, though the attendance was small during the whole time, yet better than usual, I was told, for that place. Strenuous efforts were made on the part of the trustee and a few religious partisans, to close the school-house against us; but the greater portion of the district were too public spirited and had too high a sense of justice and equal rights to allow it to be closed against one, and still be open to others; and as all denominations used it, every such attempt failed. The trustee took some steps to enforce his authority, by law, but his efforts proved abortive, and we were left in quiet and peaceable possession of the house. Thus a good blow has been struck in favor of the cause, and this people stands higher in the respect of other communities around. Yet the immediate results of the meetings are not what I could wish. Only one family have as yet decided to keep the Sabbath; but others are still investigating and I hope will yet decide right. The church here is doing well, growing in experience, and receiving some accessions. They desire especially to express their gratification and gratitude for the enlargement, and improvement in appearance, of the papers; which we all look upon as a step in the right direction, and a good omen of the prosperity of the cause of present truth. As there is a prospect of fields of labor in this region for some time in the future, I have removed my family to this place, and we are now settling in our new home preparatory to entering more heartily and zealously into the work of the Lord. Keene, Essex Co., N. Y., Jan. 20, 1871. R. F. ANDREWS
By R. F. Andrews
Dec. 23, I visited the brethren at Northville, La Salle Co., Ill. Tarried with them till Jan. 9. The cause is advancing steadily. They are having considerable opposition; but I believe it will be an advantage to them in the end, if they will only endure it patiently. Bro. Steward has been laboring in the vicinity, and a few precious souls have taken hold of the truth. Our labor together the past season has been agreeable. I look back with pleasure upon it. The Lord has worked for us, for which I feel truly thankful. Jan. 8, we met at the house of Bro. Freeman, and presented the matter of organization as adopted by our people. Twenty signed our church covenant, and pledged $99.34 s. B. There are others who are not yet prepared to take hold with us, that design to do so as soon as they can. We have a great many warm friends in La Salle Co. Oh! that they might all become the friends of God, and heirs of eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ. Left Bro. Steward to care for the cause at N., and labor in new fields as the Lord may open the way. Jan. 9, I left to fill my appointments at Aledo, Ill. There are a few precious souls here, that are still holding on, through discouragement and opposition, to the precious, though unpopular, truths of God's word. May the Lord bless them, and help them to live so that their light may shine. I am now holding meetings in Bro. Dungan's neighborhood in their fine new school-house. I have good congregations and seemingly quite an interest. I design to continue as long as the interest demands. Then if the Lord will, I will visit the brethren in the northern part of the State. Hope our friends in Pontiac and Central Illinois, will be patient, and we shall render them all the help we can, as soon as possible. BRO. H. VAN VLECK, Vernon Co., Wis., writes: God speed the REVIEW. We have a little company of twenty here who are trying to keep the Sabbath. One year ago there was not one here. God has raised a little church here, and the way is clear. The ice is breaking all around us. God be praised. God is surely in this great work. May it take the wings of the morning, and fly to the uttermost parts of the earth. Oh! could I say to every brother and sister, Get ready for that great day. God help us all to be faithful.